The Challenge

We are challenged to do a better job researching key parts of the history of the Clan Leask. The documents as listed in the section of this website entitled “Known & Documented Historical Evidence of Clan Leask” give us some evidence of the history of the Leasks, especially when reviewed in the context of the history of the locations where Leasks have lived. To make that easier we are adding a section to the website entitled “Related Events”

Our challenge is two fold. First, we must locate more documents to add to the historical evidence of the history of the Leasks prior to the 1800s. Second, we must find ways to fill in the gaps in our knowledge with research of the several areas.

We want to learn much more about the origin of the Leasks, including all we can about:

Exactly when did the Leasks first settle in Slains, Aberdeenshire in the areas that bear there name?

Where did they live prior to there arrival in Slains, Aberdeenshire?

What can we learn about the history of the relationships between the Leasks and other Clans that lived in and around the Leask homeland such as the Clans Comyn, Hays, Sinclair, Gordon, Frazier, and Forbes?

Why did the Leasks go to Orkney during the reign of Earl Henry Sinclair and what was the nature and history of ties between Clan Leask, Clan Sinclair and Clan Gunn? (Niven Sinclair believed the Leasks like the Gunns had close ties to Earl Henry Sinclair and the other Sinclair Earls of Orkney)

Exactly what was the role of the Leasks in Orkney and Shetland during the reign of the Sinclair Earls of Orkney?

Were the Leasks in Orkney or Shetland prior to the reign of Earl Henry Sinclair?

When did the Leasks acquire land on the Isle of Papa Westray, in Orkney? (Sir Brian Chalmers Leask claimed the Leasks were in Papa Westray as early as 1084 AD but we have found no evidence of a Leask presence in Orkney prior to the rein of Earl Henry Sinclair.)

We want to determine if the claims of Madam Leask in her booklet on the Leasks and by Sir Brian Chalmers Leask in his writings that certain Leasks were at one time kinsmen of the King of Denmark? (“Eric Laesk in Orkney was by repute Crown Chamberlain to his kinsman, the King of Denmark, when Orkney belonged to that country.” according to Madam Leask as in her booklet on the history of the Leasks on page 1.) (…From 1460-1470 William de Lask acts as Crown Chamberlain for the King Denmark in Papa Westray and is stated as a descendant of the Danish Royal line.” as found in Sir Brian Chalmers Leask, book Leask’s Australian Genealogies on page 332.) Today the names Leask, Lask and Laesk are names found in Denmark. However, we have seen no evidence to support the claims of a tie to the Danish Royal line.

Some claim the Shetland Leasks are descended from Richard Lask, son of “Jamis of Lask” who reportedly emigrated to Orkney in 1446 AD. Jamis of Lask (also known as Jamis of Orkney) was the second son of Thomas de Lask, the second known Clan Chief of the Leasks. He is reputed to have married a grand daughter of Earl Henry Sinclair. Sir Brian Chalmers Leask claimed he was also be known as Jamis de Craigy. We have seen no evidence of these claims. It all needs to be researched.

There is a claim that Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, made a trip to the Americas. Niven Sinclair states he believes the Leask’s were part of that trip. That such a trip actually took place is disputed by many experts and advocated for by others. We are interested in any evidence regarding such a trip and any possible Leask involvement.

There is a claim the Leasks were on the first or second crusade. There is a claim that is the reason for the crescent on the Leask Clan badge. We have seen no evidence of this claim. These claims need to be researched.

Earl Henry Sinclair is reputed to have been head of the Scottish Knights Templar. Were any members of the Clan Leask involved in the Scottish Knights Templar?

We need to find out more about the genetic origin of the clan Leask using Y-DNA studies of the Leask’s and studies of the migration of peoples using Y-DNA.

We want to learn more about the land of Leask and any archeological studies done in the general area including but not limited to:The Tumulus located on the land of Leask, The ‘Battlefield of Leask’, The weapons and other archeological finds discovered on the land of Leask, The ‘Chapel of Leask’, The graveyard located around the Chapel of Leask, and Who lived and owned the Land of Leask prior to 1300?

We would like to learn if de Lask, Leask, Slains, Ellon, or any term that includes or is variation of the name Leask, appear in the Chronicles of the Picts, Inquisito, or Black Book of the Exchequer.

We would like to learn more about the original “Ragman Role” (“Statue of Rageman – de Ragemannis) as prepared by local Churches for a legate of Scotland, who compelled all clergy to give a true account of their benefices, that they might be taxed by Rome accordingly. Subsequently it was applied to four great rolls of parchment recording acts of fealty and homage done by the Scottish nobility to Edward I in 1296. Though the originals perished a record of them is preserved in the Rolls House, Chancery Lane. The Leask’s may appear in King Edward’s August 28, 1296 ragman roll signed during the “parliament” held by Edward I at Berwick, as William de Lafkerefk (del county fyf). In the 13th Century f was used to represent s, and fyf = fife (hence William de Laskeresk of fife. Is a Leask really a signer of the smaller Ragmen Role signed in 1291, which nobles signed at Norham on Tweed in 1291. What implications does this have on Leask History? Was William de Lafkerefk really William de Lask as claimed and if so why the reference to Fife?

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Spellings of Leask

Chances are, if you are on this site your family name is not Leask; however, there are many known and documented spellings of the name Leask including Laesk, Laisk, Lask, Laysk, Laysak, Leisk, Lesh, Lesk, Leysk, Liesk, Lisk, and Lusk.

Join in the Research

We are always looking for new volunteers as well as new sources of research, and with as many open questions as we have WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you are interested in assisting in the research, joining the Y-DNA study, or simply have a comment about our research reach out to us here!

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